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Technology returns to the fore with the AC72 wingsail America’s Cup catamaran, capable of regularly exceeding speeds of 30 knots.

AC72 approximate dimensions:

LOA – 22.0 meters (72 feet)

Beam – 14.0 meters (46 feet)

Displacement – 7,000 kilograms (15,500 pounds)

Wingsail area – 300 square meters (3,229 square feet)

The catamaran will be able to fly a hull in 5 to 6 knots true windspeed. The target boatspeeds in winds under 10 knots were set at 1.2 times the true windspeed upwind and 1.6 times true windspeed downwind.

High speeds are derived from enormous power. The AC72 has a righting moment of approximately 60-ton-meters. Determining the sail plan dimensions was difficult because the boat has to be powerful in light winds and not overpowered in stronger winds.

The height of the wingsail will be approximately 40 meters (130 feet) with a maximum chord length between 10 and 11 meters (32 and 36 feet).

Swita reports that Pacifica building official Doug Rider plans to call a meeting next week with Pacifica City Attorney Cecilia Quick, City Manager Steve Rhodes and the owners of the buildings to discuss what the owners can do to save their property and under what circumstances the city would have to step in. Rider said,

Those buildings cannot be allowed to topple into the ocean.

According to Rider, the building owners have not been able to acquire funds to finance a rehabilitation of the bluff face, despite applying for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and California Emergency Management Agency (CALEMA) money. Rider concluded

If we can make it through one more winter, it will give them [the owners] more time to raise that money.

Low Expectations

The news reports of the past hours share a common theme of unanswered requests for comment and reaction from missing property owners (see links here). If experience is a guide, then we can expect the owners to respond slowly but adequately, and to request more time to look for the funds to rescue the buildings.

For a complete chronology and links to many more photos see Evacuation underway at 330 Esplanade: